Paris Board of Selectmen
July 24, 2017
Paris Town Office
Recreational marijuana
What happened: Selectmen and Town Manager Vic Hodgkins listened to a recreational marijuana presentation by longtime medical marijuana caregiver Rick Jackson.
What it means: Jackson spoke about the state deciding its regulations, which are due by February 2018 after voters approved recreational marijuana in November 2016. He proposed establishing an ad hoc committee to examine various aspects of recreational marijuana in town regarding retail outlets, social clubs and agricultural production, along with possible ordinances and licensing fees.
What’s next: After a lengthy discussion, selectmen tabled discussing the topic until their next meeting.
Fire Station roof
What happened: Selectmen awarded a bid to the lowest bidder for the Fire Station roof replacement project.
What it means: The quoted was awarded to IRC for $41,100 to replace the entire roof, including securing the roof drains and replacing and extending the membrane to prevent future leaking. The money will come from the Fire Department’s equipment reserve account and the general reserve account.
What’s next: Hodgkins and Fire Chief Scott Hunter will contact the company regarding its ongoing maintenance program and get a price quote for those services.
Public comments
What happened: Selectman Chairman Scott Buffington requested former Chairman Janet Jamison be removed from the meeting if she did not stop asking about taxes Buffington owes during open session.
What it means: Jamison stopped talking and was allowed to remain in the meeting. Buffington told Jamison she was violating the town’s Public Comments Policy by questioning his personal business during public session. She said she was not done talking about his taxes. Jamison herself has had overdue taxes, but has since paid them.
What’s next: Hodgkins and Town Clerk Liz Knox will update the Public Comments Policy, which was already in the works before Monday’s open session, and bring it back to the board.
Mill rate
What happened: Hodgkins announced that tax bills went out and the town’s mill rate remained flat at $16.80 per $1,000 of assessed value.
What’s next: The first quarterly payment of taxes is due Tuesday, Aug. 15.
Cable franchise
What happened: Selectmen authorized Hodgkins to enter into a cable TV consortium to renew the town’s outdated franchise agreement.
What it means: Paris joins Norway and Minot in the consortium, which is being spearheaded by the James W. Seawall Company. Paris’ franchise agreement –which is grandfathered in and charges 5 percent per subscriber that goes to Norway Paris Community Television – expired in 1994. NPCTV will pay up to $5,000 for Paris to join the consortium. For each town that joins, the fee goes down.
What’s next: As part of the new agreement that will be negotiated, NPCTV officials could be eligible to receive grant funds to update equipment.
Town slogan
What happened: Selectmen accepted the new slogan for Paris as “Heartbeat of the Hills.”
What it means: A local business owner created the poll that was issued on the town’s website. Site visitors voted 70-37 for the new slogan.
What’s next: It will be used to market the town and incorporated on the town signs and website.
Fairview Cemetery
What happened: Selectmen authorized Hodgkins to sign paperwork to accept Fairview Cemetery.
What it means: At the annual town meeting in June, voters accepted the Fairview Cemetery Association assets, which includes land and trust funds of $102,233. This allowed selectmen to authorize ongoing care and maintenance of the Oxford Street cemetery.
What’s next: Hodgkins said town officials are close to finalizing the cemetery boundary and once it’s complete, the paperwork will be sent to him to sign.
Taxes
What happened: Selectmen voted to transfer the role of tax collector from Knox to Hodgkins.
Committee charge
What happened: Selectmen set the charge for the Town Office Building Committee.
What it means: The ad hoc Town Office Building Committee will develop a current condition report for the Town Office, prioritize capital improvement needs, identify cost estimates for capital improvements and issue a recommendations report to selectmen.
What’s next: Selectmen tabled the Economic Development Committee’s Events/Festivals Subcommittee charge since one has not been created yet. It will be addressed at a future meeting.
Reappointments
What happened: Selectmen reappointed Richard Merz and Richard Penley to the Budget Committee for three years each, Rick Little to Norway/Paris Cable TV Committee for three years, James Hakala and Henry Raymond to the Planning Board for five years each, and elevated Rick Little to a full member of the Planning Board.